CVE-2025-24112 is a vulnerability identified in Apple macOS that arises during the parsing of certain files. The vulnerability is due to inadequate validation and resource management when processing these files, which can lead to an unexpected termination of the application handling the file. This behavior is classified under CWE-770, indicating that the system allocates resources without proper limits or throttling, potentially exhausting resources or causing instability. The vulnerability requires local access (AV:L) and user interaction (UI:R) to be exploited, meaning an attacker must trick a user into opening or processing a maliciously crafted file. The impact is limited to availability, causing denial of service by crashing the application, without compromising confidentiality or integrity. The vulnerability affects macOS versions prior to Sequoia 15.3 and Sonoma 14.7.3, where improved checks have been implemented to prevent this issue. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5, reflecting medium severity due to the limited scope and requirements for exploitation. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, but the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted denial-of-service attacks against macOS users or systems.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-24112 is denial of service through unexpected application termination, which can disrupt user workflows and potentially affect critical applications on macOS systems. While it does not compromise data confidentiality or integrity, repeated or targeted exploitation could degrade system reliability and availability, particularly in environments relying heavily on macOS for business operations or critical infrastructure. Organizations with macOS endpoints may experience productivity loss or service interruptions if malicious files are introduced via email, removable media, or network shares. The requirement for local access and user interaction limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where social engineering or insider threats are possible. The vulnerability could be exploited to disrupt services or as part of a broader attack chain.

1. Apply the official patches by upgrading to macOS Sequoia 15.3 or macOS Sonoma 14.7.3 or later to ensure the vulnerability is remediated. 2. Implement strict file handling policies that restrict or sandbox the opening of files from untrusted or unknown sources to reduce the risk of triggering the vulnerability. 3. Educate users about the risks of opening unsolicited or suspicious files, emphasizing caution with email attachments and downloads. 4. Employ endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous application crashes or suspicious file parsing behaviors. 5. Monitor application logs and system stability metrics for signs of unexpected terminations that could indicate exploitation attempts. 6. Use application whitelisting or sandboxing technologies to limit the impact of crashes and isolate affected applications. 7. Regularly review and update incident response plans to include scenarios involving denial-of-service via application crashes on macOS systems.